Patient Gentleness

 

  Patient Gentleness

“Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

How do you view God? 

I think one of the wonders of teaching is being able to teach them about relationships. At the young age of four and five they are learning how to interact with one another and how to problem solve. Even when they might “accidently” knock a friend over it is always our intention to stop them and help them recognize that even as it wasn’t intended that it did occur and to stop and help that friend back up. Forgiveness is a taught thing. And if we force it we will never understand the power of grace. Understanding why we hurt someone or how we have been hurt won’t always be an easy thing to move past to get to the heart of forgiveness. It is the very heart of God. 

I have had the hardest time forgiving myself. Does anyone else relate?

I know the deeper I learn about His heart for me the quicker I move toward that willingness He has to meet me once again. Even those intentions of my heart, especially those intentions of my heart are the ones that stand in the way of receiving that mercy and grace that He desires to move toward me to receive.

“Grace is a word telling us that the One who sits on the throne moves towards with a pure love in action with unearned abundance and generosity for our good. Grace says we have a connection. Grace tells us this King is a King of presence with us. Grace tells us we’re forgiven freely. Grace tells us this King is for us in all of His power and dominion.” Justin Mosteller

Even as I decided to live for Christ as a young kid it would be many more years before I discovered this connection of grace and mercy to the heart of my Father. I viewed God as wagging his finger at me and being disappointed in me because I went there again. And all the while His grace and mercy were pursuing me. I only realized into my twenties that what I had created within my mind was nothing like the heart of my Father. He moves toward us in our weakness. That recognition grows more and more as my relationship with Jesus grows deeper. And the more my heart is drawn to Christ the more I will feel the weight of my sin. And that is so good. That keeps me where I need to be connected to my Savior. 

Father,

The enemy wants us to dismiss all this. But you Jesus tells us to bring it all to you so we can de-throne ourselves. Thank you that we have a praying King that intercedes for us on our behalf. Thank you for loving us that much Jesus.

Amen